MOTOR TRANSPORT AWARDS

The Grosvenor House Hotel in Central London was the venue for this year's Motor Transport Awards.  We were delighted to once again be shortlisted in the most coveted category, that of Haulier of the Year.  For our trip last year the weather was almost too hot - what a change this year - we managed a group photograph on the way into London, but even as we stood and smiled for the camera, the rain started to fall ...

It was eventually announced that the winner of the Haulier of the Year award was Expect Distribution.  They are a fellow Palletline depot based in West Yorkshire and are people we work with on a daily basis, so we can fully endorse the quality of their service and their commitment to excellence.

Thank you to everyone who supported our entry this year.  We very much appreciated your help.  Who knows, maybe next year we'll be third time lucky?

L to R: Janice Buchan, Colin Driscoll, Karen Bambury, Paul Frampton, Richard Fry, Gilly Walters, Wayne Dowden, Andrew Frampton, Chris Scott, Christine Blinman, Neil Stevenson.

25 YEAR - LONG SERVICE AWARD

Framptons' Training Instructor, Pete Billing, has been presented with a gold watch by Paul and Andrew Frampton to mark 25 years with the company.   

Pete started working for the egg processing company, Framptons Ltd on the loading bay in May 1982, later becoming a charge hand. 

In 1987 he transferred over to the transport department collecting eggs from local farms.  He carried out long distance work all over the UK, working his way through the years up to HGV 1.  

 In 2002 he qualified as a DSA registered driving instructor and a year later became one of only 100 qualified SAFED instructors in the country.

FRAMPTONS' LOGO FLIES HIGH

As a principal sponsor of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Framptons Transport Services Ltd's logo has been added to the tail fin of the new EC135 Eurocopter. 

The new addition was officially unveiled at Shepton Mallet's Collett Day on 9th June 2007.  The landing of the helicopter on the football pitch next to the park had been meticulously planned.  However, the value of the resource was clearly illustrated as the scheduled promotional landing was delayed when the air ambulance was diverted to deal with an emergency. 

The pilot found time to circle above the park on the way back from Bath's Royal United Hospital before refuelling at Yeovil and returning to Shepton Mallet later in the afternoon.  The crew were met by an enthralled crowd keen to see the new helicopter at such close quarters and chat to the pilot and paramedic about their work.

L to R: Pilot Max Hoskins, Gilly Walters, Shepton Mallet Town Council Chairman Colin Lockey, paramedic Andy Packham

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FLEET

Our vehicle replacement programme averages 6 new vehicles per year.  In line with our environmental policy, we aim to reduce overall vehicle emissions by ensuring that all new purchases are as fuel efficient as possible.  Vehicles bought during 2006 were with Euro 4 engines, this year's new vehicles are at Euro 5.

Recent additions to the fleet include:

• 3 eco double-decked trailers in Palletline livery.  The front of the trailer is specially designed to be more aerodynamic thereby reducing the amount of fuel used. 

• 8 articulated vehicles

• 5 rigid vehicles.  Pictured left is one of the new Palletline-liveried vehicles showing the tail lift in action.

NEW CANOPY KEEPS FREIGHT DRY

Given the amount of rainfall we have experienced this summer, you can imagine how useful the extension to the transhipment canopy has proven to be. 

The main period of use is during early mornings and late evenings when goods are moved between our local collection and delivery vehicles and Palletline trunkers.  You can see one of the new trailers being offloaded in the background.

Palletline trunking vehicles depart from our Shepton Mallet depot every evening for either the Birmingham or London hubs, (there is also a Northern hub), returning in the early hours of the morning loaded with freight from all other areas of the UK for delivery locally.  Picture about 50 other Palletline depots also converging on these hubs overnight and you get an idea of the scale of the operation that happens when most of us are asleep!

www.palletline.co.uk

May 2007

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June 2005

For more information please visit

www.framptons.co.uk

Framptons Transport Services Ltd, Crowne Trading Estate, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5QU, England

Tel: +44 (0)1749 333400 Fax: +44 (0)1749 346249

Email: sales@framptons.co.uk